Entering the second week of finals, I apologize for the delay

Her hands were on her waist.

It was almost instinctive really. Every morning for the past couple of days she had woken up to a possessive arm around her waist and every morning she had brought a hand to his, still half asleep as she caressed it lazily. That was when she would realize she was in his arms again and she would quickly leave his embrace, not wanting to have another awkward moment with him.

So this morning was the same. Her hand went to search for the arm wrapped around her waist but this time, for the first time in days, she was met with nothing. Eyes still closed, she made a disgruntled noise before extending her hand to the other side of the bed, searching for a warm body but she was surprised when she found… no one.

Her eyes shot open and she instantly turned her head, expected to find him sleeping soundly right next to her, but when she blinked a couple of times and observed her surroundings, she came to the realization that she was not in a small hotel room at Granny's but she was in fact in her own room. The disappointment hit her harder than she expected and it was a very bad start to her morning.

It was different. The fact that she now had to start her morning alone and go through her morning rituals all by herself without the snarky remarks of a certain thief was weird to her and she had to admit, she did not like the silence. Maybe it was his annoying presence or maybe it was how her heart fluttered in her chest when she caught him staring at her but without it, her morning seemed dull and boring. Was that what every day had been like before sharing a room with him? Certainly she hadn't been that mundane, had she?

After a long shower and an hour of getting ready for the day, she had made sure to wear a lipstick that was a shade darker, she finally made her way to Granny's, having promised her son a long awaited breakfast. And frankly, she was lying if she said her eyes weren't searching the little diner for him.

It was fine. She was just going to have a short breakfast with her son before leaving for her office and investigate the electricity issue even further. The power was back, thank God, she had found out that morning but it still seemed a bit suspicious and she could tell Emma was on it like a hawk. So, she was busy. She had things to do, she kept repeating those words to herself and she promised not to get carried away if she saw him in the diner.

She probably wasn't going to see him there but there was no harm in hoping and after all, he was now a friend and it wouldn't hurt to say hello.

Just like she had guessed, the minute she stepped into the local diner, the first thing she spotted was a pair of blue eyes that made her breath hitch in her throat.

He was sitting at the bar, with his son right next to him and he was chatting with Will when he saw her walk in and Regina didn't dare interrupt the moment. But it was already interrupted when he directed his attention towards her and gave her a smile with a polite nod, acknowledging her who in return smiled back and nodded before turning her gaze away from him and spotting her son.

"Where's Emma?" were her first words to Henry the minute she took a seat in his booth and faced him. He was busy going through the menu.

"She dropped me off and headed over to the sheriff's station." The boy replied nonchalantly, not tearing his hungry eyes from the menu.

"And she just left you here? All by yourself?"

"Relax mom, it was just for ten minutes." Henry sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Alright let's order then shall we?"

"Yeah, Ruby-"

"No, no." she interrupted him with a smile. "I think I'll hand my order personally to Granny."

"Okay…" Henry replied raising one eyebrow suspiciously. "Bacon and eggs for me."

Nodding, Regina stood up and walked over to the bar, her hands instinctively fixing her hair. There, he sat with his son, one hand shuffling the boy's hair as they both laughed and it was enough to turn her heart into a one giant puddle. Did she have a thing for good fathers or did she have a thing for him being a good father?

When she approached the bar and gave him a side glance every so subtly, she heard him speak.

"So how are you doing, friend?"

"Oh God, you're not gonna keep using that word, are you?"

"Of course I am. I like it." He gave her a proud smirk and she rolled her eyes.

"I'd be surprised if you didn't." she replied sarcastically.

"It helps define the boundaries of our relationship."

"Our relationship?"

"Which is a friendship, consisting of two friends being just… friends." He shrugged and she bit the inside of her cheek not to smile at him.

"You use that word one more time and our friendship is over."

His response was to smile and made a gesture with his hands as to keep his mouth zipped. This time she actually smiled and was glad to see him smile back as she heard someone speak.

"Are you gonna play with us today, Regina?!"

When she tore her gaze away from him, she was met with a set of pouty eyes as Roland watched her with a hopeful gaze from where he was sitting, right next to his dad.

"Not today honey, maybe later?"

"Okay…" he looked back at the plate in front of him with sad eyes and Regina could swear her heart broke just by looking at the boy.

"Hey Roland, its fine. Regina is our friend now, she can come play with you later." He said and turned to her with a wink.

"Robin."

"Okay, I'll shut up."

With one last smile, she walked away from him like she promised herself to do just minutes ago but she heard him calling her name again. She turned around, heart beating faster in her chest as she observed him with curious eyes.

"You forgot to order." He replied with that infuriating smirk of his and she had to go back and order with a hushed 'Right.' coming out of her lips.

#

"So how's everything with Robin?"

Regina lifted her head from the pancakes she had been stabbing her fork at and looked at his son with raised eyebrows.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Are you still mad at him?"

"Why would I be mad at him?"

"You're always mad at him." Henry replied, shrugging.

"Well, that's because he's a thief. And an outlaw." With that her eyes turned to watch him again, talking to his son as they both enjoyed their breakfast at the other end of the diner. She let out a longing sigh.

"And he likes you."

"Huh?"

"He likes you, mom."

"No, he doesn't." she replied quickly, averting her gaze from him.

"Yes he does, he always looks at you."

"He does not." With that her stare was on him again and he was indeed busy with his son.

"Mom, just because-"

"When did you start giving me relationship advice?" she quickly asked, averting the subject.

"Since you two are being stubborn about it."

"Henry…" she sighed.

"Mom, come on!"

"Look, I don't know what Emma told you but me and Robin… we're just friends."

Upon hearing her words, her son just pouted and focused on his plate, knowing that trying to convince his mom was a lost cause. She was too stubborn or idealistic and determined in her own words and there was no way she was agreeing to this unless she wanted to.

"Did you find out why you can't use magic?" Henry asked after a pause.

"No, we'll look into it today with Emma but I don't know if-" she was interrupted when the door of the diner shot open a bit harsher than normal and she was forced to stop and turn her gaze towards to entrance.

There, stood a woman clad in black high heeled boots with black skinny jeans and midnight blue shirt, wearing a big white fur on her shoulders.

With black and white hair.

The whole diner fell into a deadly silence as they all observed the sight before them, afraid to say anything.

"Cruella?" Regina was the first to speak as she slowly stood up from where she was sitting with a confused expression of her face.

"Hello Regina, missed me?"

She felt like time had frozen. How long has it been, she thought. How long has it been since she had seen her and suddenly thousands of memories flashed her mind, all the good and bad things she had gone through with Cruella.

Regina knew this woman. and now she was standing right in front of her with a smug expression on her face and she had no idea why. She had no idea what this little visit of hers would bring and she was afraid to find out. Smirking to herself, she slowly stood up and walked towards the black and white haired woman with a smile playing her lips. She forcefully buried her nervousness deep inside of her.

"What are you doing here?"

"I thought I'd drop by to say hello." She gave her a wicked grin which told Regina that she wasn't just here dropping by.

"You don't just drop by."

"Well Regina darling, I'm shocked. Is this how you treat an old friend?"

There was a pause between the two women as silence filled the air. Suddenly, the reason behind her coming by popped into her head as she tried to wrap her mind around it. It wasn't a coincidence that she had lost her magic just in time for Cruella's arrival.

"Are you responsible for all this?" she suddenly asked, her voice getting serious.

"I'm afraid I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Oh cut the crap!" she raised her voice and she could feel the whole diner listening to her, curious eyes on both women. "Tell me why." She added, eyeing her up and down.

"Everyone needs a grand entrance."

"And this is how you do it? By cutting out the power supply?"

"Well actually I had one of my dogs chew the-"

"How did you do it?" Regina suddenly asked, taking a step closer. She lowered her voice, intending to keep the conversation discreet.

"The dog was stubborn at first but-"

"Not that!" she interrupted her one more time before adding. "Magic."

"Oh… well I had some help with that." She replied smugly.

"I knew it."

"Now if you'll excuse me, I would like to say hello to everyone." She said before tearing her gaze from the brunette as her eyes roamed over the diner and landed on something.

Or rather someone.

Blue met blue and Cruella's lips curved into a smile.

"Especially a special hello to him."

Before Regina could understand what was going on, Cruella turned away from her and walked over to the other end of the diner, her icy blue eyes destined to reach her target.

"Gin." She suddenly when she finally stopped.

"Huh?" Robin raised his head in confusion and stared at the woman that was now standing right next to him.

"I prefer gin, if case you would like to buy me a drink."

"Oh?" he managed to say as his gaze switched back and forth between the woman who was giving him a deadly smile and Regina who was still standing by the doorway with her mouth hanging open. Before he could say a word, Cruella walked over to his other side and sat down on the stool next to his, a bit closer than he preferred and he just raised his eyebrows in question.

Regina just stood there, lips parted as she observed the scene before her with threatening eyes. She took one step towards them but stopped herself immediately. Instead she threw one last suspicious glance at them before turning to Henry.

"Finish your breakfast then go to school. I need to talk to someone."

After earning a nod from her son, her curious eyes switched over to Cruella and Robin one more time, sitting awfully close to each other and she opted for leaving the diner instead of walking over to them. She could always deal with her later but for now she needed to make sure.

#

He could feel it.

He could feel her long red nails tracing on his bicep, with little fluttering touches that he pretended not to notice as he sipped his water. Will had taken Roland from him long ago, giving him an annoying wink in the process and now he was stuck with this Cruella woman he had no idea how to handle.

"So Robert..."

"Robin."

"Yes that, tell me darling what does a girl have to do get your attention?"

Robin raised his eyebrows to her question.

"My attention?" he asked, frowning.

"Since I can't see anyone else in this room with a body to die for, yes darling, your attention." She replied, inching a bit closer to him.

"I'm not sure I am what you're looking for."

"Take off your shirt and I'll be sure." She winked at him and it made his jaw drop.

He had to admit, he wasn't used to a woman coming on to him like this. Sure back in the Enchanted Forrest he had women eyeing him from a distance and talking about him with smiles on their faces but never once he had anyone approach him so… directly. It made him confused and even though he was grateful for the attention, he had absolutely no idea how to respond. Cruella was a beautiful woman but…

When he turned around to gauge Regina's reaction over this, he found her seat empty. She was gone.

Disappointment hit him as he turned back in his seat and his shoulders sunk.

"So I heard you're quite the opposite of your friend Little John."

Upon hearing her words, Robin did a spit take as he watched his water splutter all over the counter.

"Who told you that?!" he asked in shock, one hand coming to wipe his mouth with the back of his sleeve.

"So it's true?"

#

"I knew you'd come here."

Gold's words made her cringe internally but Regina paid no attention to it as she stepped into his shop with determination in her eyes.

"I suppose you know why."

"She's back."

Regina nodded, as she came face to face with the man, her hands resting on the wooden counter.

"You caused this?"

"Not this time, dearie." Gold replied, his hands coming in front of him in a sarcastic defensive state.

"And the electricity? Magic?"

"Yes I may have helped her with that."

Regina hated coming here, hated having to talk with her old mentor especially when there were things going on in town behind her back. And now learning that he helped with this new turn of events made her even angrier but she kept calm, not knowing what Cruella was after.

"Why?"

"She was scared of your magic and we had a deal."

"Scared of me?" she chuckled. Now, that sounded like her.

"Gloat all you want, you have no magic." He whispered as he leaned in closer to her.

"Yes we can't have that now, can we?" with that, her lips curved into a smile as she slowly walked around the counter and came face to face with him, with no barriers separating them.

"I need my magic back."

"Not until she leaves town. That was the deal."

"And what if I make another deal with you?"

"You've got nothing I want."

"Haven't I?"

There was a slight pause before Gold raised his eyebrows and spoke.

"Alright then. I want your boyfriend to do something for me."

"He's not my boyfriend…" she replied with an exhausted sigh.

"I haven't even said his name and yet your mind just casually fled to him. I think he is."

"Just… tell me what you want."

There was a smirk playing his lips and it annoyed Regina even more as she felt herself seconds away from leaving his shop and forget the whole thing but she needed her magic so she forced herself to get herself together and give him a forceful smile.

"There's a magical flower in the forest and I need him to get that for me."

"Why can't you get it yourself?"

"Well… let's say it requires a certain kind of talent to go that deep into the forest and your archer boy is exactly what I need."

"How deep are we talking about here?"

"Dangerously deep." He spoke in a low tone.

Regina took a step back as she threw a questioning look at him. She could feel deep in her bones that this was going to be something that would endanger Robin and she was ready to decline his offer if it meant what she thought it did.

"No. This sounds like a suicide mission." she replied quickly.

"I just need one flower."

"If it was that easy, you would have done it yourself. I'm out of here." With that she turned on her heel and headed for the door but his voice made her stop dead in her tracks.

"Regina, don't you want your magic back?"

#

"I would love to wear you like one of my fur coats."

Robin felt the hair on the back of his neck stand as Cruella purred right next to his ear, her red lips barely touching the skin there.

"Is that a dead animal you're wearing?"

"Yes darling, I skinned it myself. Do you like it?"

He just rolled his eyes at her question but before he had a chance to answer it, he heard the diner door open and when he turned around, he spotted none other than Regina walking into the restaurant with a tired look on her face. Throwing an angry stare at him, she headed over to the booth she had previously occupied with Henry but now of course she was all alone, having sent Henry off to school.

He watched her order a coffee with a couple of cookies to go with and he didn't remember seeing her like this before. Was it stress eating, he quietly thought to himself but before he had time to reflect further on the thought, he heard Cruella speak again from right beside him.

"Tell me darling…" she began as she placed one hand on his bicep. "Are these real?"

"How can they be… not real?" he replied, raising one eyebrow as he glanced down to his upper arm.

"No, the question is how can they be? I have never seen such marvelous arms in my life. Do you mind if I…?"

"You already are." Robin gave her a polite nod as he felt her grip on his bicep tighten as she let out a low moan.

From behind them, they suddenly heard something that sounded much like someone crashing two plates together and when Robin turned to take a look, he saw Regina still sitting in her booth with a coffee cup in her hand. The look she gave him was scary enough for him to inch farther from Cruella who was busy giving Regina the most wicked smile. Robin felt shivers go down his spine as he watched two women send each other killer stares.

"So Robby darling-"

"Robin."

"We can sit here and chat all day or…" Cruella said, her gaze back on him.

"Let's sit here and chat all day."

"Don't you want to take this somewhere a bit more private?" she asked, one finger grazing his chest.

"I'd rather not."

It was getting hot for him but it wasn't because of Cruella, no, it was because he could feel Regina's stares on the back of his neck, piercing through his soul and frankly he wasn't at all comfortable with being this close to a strange woman. Not to mention the fact that she smelled like a wet dog.

However, offending a lady was the last thing on Robin's mind as he quietly searched for ways to get himself out of the woman's grasp without upsetting her but at the moment it seemed like an almost impossible task.

Ever so subtly, he turned his head and glanced at Regina one more time and he barely stopped himself from smirking when he saw her grit her teeth and threaten Cruella with her looks. The idea of getting her jealous amused him as he turned back around and smiled quietly to himself.

"Oh God I would love to kiss that smile off your lips…"

Those last words did it for Robin as he stood up in panic and spoke.

"Excuse me."

With that he scattered off to the bathroom, not wanting to hear more of Cruella harassing him.

The minute he stepped into the privacy of the men's room, he let out a tired sigh. He was finally safe, he knew she couldn't track him in here.

Walking over to the sink, he turned on the water and allowed himself to wet his hands and wrists, calming him down. He had no idea where this Cruella woman came from but her presence was making him uncomfortable. Not that he had a problem with a woman, he didn't. But her intentions on him were making it hard to be polite with her as he constantly found himself deflecting her questions.

He didn't like it, he didn't like it one bit. Maybe he was old fashioned but the man had to be the one to court the lady, not the other way around and frankly he was still trying to get used to the ways of this new world he was in and he hated it. But no matter where they were, Cruella was a woman and he had no right to be rude towards her.

He needed to stay away from her, yes, that was his plan. He needed to be as far away from her as possible so he didn't have to say things that he didn't want to.

Yes, avoiding Cruella. It sounded like a nice plan.

Throwing himself one last look in the mirror, he stepped out of the bathroom and was ready to excuse himself from the diner but all of a sudden he felt a hand on his arm and he felt someone pulling him. Without knowing what was going on, he found himself pressed against a wall and Cruella was right in front him, her body pressed against his.

"Alright lover boy, let's do this."

"What?" he replied in panic as she trapped him between the wall and her body.

"You've given enough to the poor, now it's time to give some to the rich."

With that her hands were on his belt as she fumbled with it, trying to get it to open.

"Whoa!" he desperately tried to stop her.

Giving him one last grin, she lifted her hands from his belt and reached to her own black shirt as she unbuttoned the top button. But before she could unbutton the second one, Robin's hands were on hers as he stopped her from doing what was on her mind and he kept the shirt closed.

"Cruella, don't!"

"Oh stop being such a prude darling." She said as she leaned even closer to him and added. "I know you want me too."

"I don't know what gave you that idea but I don't… I can't!" with that he managed to escape from her grip and headed over to the diner, hoping that the crowd would keep Cruella from pushing herself on him.

When he was out in the open, he took a deep breath but he was interrupted when she followed him and came to stand in front of him with a hand on his chest.

"Rob darling!"

"My name is Robin!"

She was standing much too close to him and now the whole diner was silent, all watching the scene unfold before them. From the corner of his eye, he dared to glance in the direction of Regina who was taking a sip from her coffee and watching them with a frown.

"Tell me why!" Cruella raised her voice.

Robin was desperate, he really was. He forced his mind to come up with anything as he took a step back.

"Because I'm uh…"

"You're what?"

"Because I'm… married."

"Married? To who?"

His eyes quickly searched the small diner, his heart beating a thousand times faster in his chest. Finally his stare landed on Regina and as they made a brief eye contact, she raised her eyebrows and gave him the most threatening and deadly look he had ever seen in his life.

"Regina. I'm married to Regina."